MILWAUKEE — Newly released law enforcement body camera footage has provided a detailed look into the traffic stop that led to the arrest of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current lead CBS Sports NFL analyst Tony Romo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The incident occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, when a Milwaukee County Sheriff’s deputy pulled over Romo's vehicle as he traveled southbound along Interstate 43 on the high-rise bridge. Officers initiated the stop after observing driving behavior consistent with potential impairment during heavy evening rush-hour traffic.
Romo, 46, had been in Wisconsin competing in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship golf tournament at West Bend earlier in the day and was traveling toward his hometown of Burlington to visit family. The encounter resulted in Romo being transported to a nearby station, where he performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests before refusing a breathalyzer exam. He was formally booked for operating while intoxicated (OWI), first offense, and released late that evening.
Body Camera Footage Captures Field Sobriety Struggles and Breathalyzer Refusal
The footage released by the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office begins on the shoulder of Interstate 43, where Romo appeared caught off guard by the flashing emergency lights. When the deputy approached his vehicle and asked if he had been drinking, Romo maintained that he had consumed "zero" alcoholic beverages while at the golf course.
Due to heavy traffic volume along the freeway bridge, deputies opted to handcuff Romo and transport him to a nearby station facility to conduct standardized field sobriety evaluations safely. Prior to stepping out of his vehicle, Romo expressed confusion over the officer's rationale, asking:
"Because I'm coming from a golf course you think I'm drunk?"
Upon arriving at the facility, the deputy detailed her observations, noting that Romo exhibited "red, glassy eyes" and that an odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage was detectable on his person. In an arrest detention report, deputies also noted discovering unopened alcohol shooters inside a bag inside his vehicle.
During the station evaluations—which included a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, a heel-to-toe walk, and a one-leg balance test—Romo visibly struggled to complete the required movements. Throughout the testing process, Romo repeatedly paused to stretch his back, explaining to officers that the prolonged drive had aggravated lingering spinal injuries sustained during his professional football career.
When deputies subsequently requested that Romo submit to a breath test to determine his blood alcohol concentration, the former Pro Bowl quarterback explicitly refused on the advice of legal counsel.
"Oh, no. We're not doing that. I've heard from all the lawyers don't ever do that. So, we're not going to do that," Romo stated on camera.
Following his refusal, officers processed Romo for OWI, booked him into the Milwaukee County Jail around 9:45 p.m., and released him shortly after 11:00 p.m.
Legal Context and Absence of Collisions or Aggravating Factors
Despite the public attention surrounding the arrest of one of sports broadcasting’s most prominent figures, legal authorities emphasized that no motor vehicle collision, property damage, high-speed chase, or personal injuries were involved in the incident.
Under Wisconsin state law, a first-offense operating while intoxicated charge is classified differently than in most other states. A spokesperson for the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office clarified the legal standing of the case:
"This matter is classified as a traffic violation and not a criminal charge because of the nature of first-offense civil forfeiture laws in Wisconsin."
Because first-offense OWI in Wisconsin is treated as a civil forfeiture rather than a misdemeanor criminal offense, Romo does not face jail time in connection with the initial citation. However, state law mandates a administrative driver's license suspension for individuals who refuse a chemical test during an OWI investigation.
Broadcasting Status and Future Outlook
In the wake of the body camera release, questions surfaced regarding Romo's standing as the lead color commentator for CBS Sports, where he partners alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz. Network sources indicated that CBS has no plans to fire or suspend the veteran analyst over the traffic citation, though Romo reportedly intends to maintain a low profile in the coming weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL pre-season broadcast schedule.
Romo, who retired from the NFL in 2017 after spending 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, has served as CBS’s flagship analyst since hanging up his helmet, calling three Super Bowls for the network.
What's Next: Upcoming Court Date and Administrative Hearings
Romo has not issued a formal public statement regarding the arrest or the released footage. His legal team is expected to handle the administrative proceedings regarding his license suspension and the civil citation.
A court date for the first-offense OWI citation has been scheduled for September 21, 2026, in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, where Romo’s legal representatives may enter a plea or contest the refusal citation on his behalf.